I've written a detailed explanation above, but want to address a concern of you:
> A sudden confrontation with this can be completely destabilizing.
Many ways force a confrontation, and that's indeed dangerous. However, it doesn't have to be like that.
Emotions are like onions. They're layered. Slow practice and slow advancement naturally brings practitioners to outer layers of these onions, which are easier to understand, remove and resolve. In our way, you can't get to the next level unless you have the power to do so.
If you have the power, you can remove and solve it. If you can't remove that layer, you don't face with anything. It all happens progressively.
All in all, there's no forced search for battles to fight. Ours is self exploration. You face only what you're ready for. We have safeguards against it.
I'm doing this for ~7 years and I still get to harder levels of the same issues sometimes. It's not easy, but it's worth it.
Safeguards may not be needed if meditation is pursued in moderation and with a modicum of self-awareness.
When it becomes a competition or a drug or a lifestyle or an experimental therapy or hobby or social or cult activity, there are greater dangers. People should be meaningfully informed of the risks. But there is money to be made, so...
Philosophical studies and religious faith and teachings seem to smooth the way. Know thyself. Everything in moderation. To thine own self be true. The small still voice within. If it isn’t making you more kind and loving to all you meet, whatever it is, then stop. As true about meditation as anything else.
The best introduction I ever found on the topic of meditation was Introduction to Yoga Principles and Practices by Majumdar, University Books, 1964. No cult, no workshops, been dead for a while.
> A sudden confrontation with this can be completely destabilizing.
Many ways force a confrontation, and that's indeed dangerous. However, it doesn't have to be like that.
Emotions are like onions. They're layered. Slow practice and slow advancement naturally brings practitioners to outer layers of these onions, which are easier to understand, remove and resolve. In our way, you can't get to the next level unless you have the power to do so.
If you have the power, you can remove and solve it. If you can't remove that layer, you don't face with anything. It all happens progressively.
All in all, there's no forced search for battles to fight. Ours is self exploration. You face only what you're ready for. We have safeguards against it.
I'm doing this for ~7 years and I still get to harder levels of the same issues sometimes. It's not easy, but it's worth it.